As electricity tariffs and the cost of fuel continue to rise, and power generation from LDCs, on the other hand, continues to fall, more people are seeking economical ways to power their homes.

If you have an electricity meter fitted in your home or office, or get power mostly from running generators, chances are you’re always on the lookout for ways you can save money on electricity bills and fuel/diesel. Luckily, there are several methods of achieving this - from simple adjustments to cost-effective solutions.

1. Use energy saving light bulbs: This is a good and easy place to start. Traditional incandescent bulbs are notorious for the large amount of energy they consume, not to mention the heat they give off when in use. If you have them in your home, consider replacing them with energy saving bulbs such as LED and CFL bulbs which use up to 75% less energy. Though they cost more than traditional light bulbs, they can last 6-10 times longer, are of high quality, and give off less heat. Even NERC urges Nigerians us to use energy saving bulbs.
2. When not in use, switch off lights and electronics: When not in use, or you’re leaving a room, ensure the lights, television, computers, etc., are switched off. Don’t forget to switch off phone chargers also, when not in use. If you have kids, get them involved and ensure they take up the habit too.
3. Do your laundry with cold water:  Got a washing machine? It’s easy to get tempted to wash your clothes often using its hot-water features. After all, it just takes pressing a button or two. But this can have a big impact on your electricity bill every month, especially if you have a large household and hence, do a lot of laundries. Thankfully, modern detergents can clean clothes, even in a quick, cold wash.  So, if you have clothes that you must wash in hot water, save them up over a period and wash them all at once.
4. Use energy saving appliances: Electronics consume a large amount of electricity in our homes, but thankfully more companies are manufacturing energy-efficient, eco-friendly products. Thinking of buying a new TV, refrigerator, or air-conditioner? Look out for the Energy star logo on the product, or buy OLED or other eco-friendly models. The same goes for other appliances.
5. Use fuel-efficient generators: if the power supply is poor or perhaps non-existent in your neighborhood, chances are, you spend a fortune on fueling your generator yearly.  On your next generator purchase, consider the fuel-efficient and eco-friendly ones in the market. You can also buy inverters, so you wouldn’t need to run your generator all the time.
6. Go solar: You can eliminate the use of generators or public electricity altogether by switching to solar power. They work like inverters, but without you having to rely on your LDC or generator to charge them. You just take advantage of the sun. With the cost of owning solar units dropping significantly over the years, more Nigerians are embracing this technology. If your electricity demand is minimal, the Lumous solar system may just be right for you. If you require more power, you can go for larger units. They might pricey to acquire, but in the long run, you save a lot.

The benefits of switching to more energy-efficient ways of powering your home or office go beyond saving costs. Eco-friendly appliances release less or no harmful chemicals into the environment, thereby reducing the risk of climate change. Solar units and inverters are also quieter sources of power, making your home more comfortable to live in.

Credit: Nairabricks